[adthebadstud]

Assuming the unicorns do exist, what is everyone's thoughts on this build comparing the two engines? I guess mainly is the diesel going to be worth is assuming they are side by side. The adv tech package is cheaper with the diesel so that discounts a bit. Plus, I wonder if the average mpg for the diesel is safe to assume around 24mpg, compared to the rough average that i'm making up of 17 mpg in the V8.. seems you would make your money up there?

I've never driven a diesel before. I'm in a unique situation where I may get a second try at getting a deal on one of these grand cherokees. Just trying to weigh the options out. I'm pretty sure I am NOT getting another v6 gas one. I just can't get used to the transmission and lack of pairing with the engine.

 

[lstowell]

Assuming the unicorns do exist, what is everyone's thoughts on this build comparing the two engines? I guess mainly is the diesel going to be worth is assuming they are side by side. The adv tech package is cheaper with the diesel so that discounts a bit. Plus, I wonder if the average mpg for the diesel is safe to assume around 24mpg, compared to the rough average that i'm making up of 17 mpg in the V8.. seems you would make your money up there?

I've never driven a diesel before. I'm in a unique situation where I may get a second try at getting a deal on one of these grand cherokees. Just trying to weigh the options out. I'm pretty sure I am NOT getting another v6 gas one. I just can't get used to the transmission and lack of pairing with the engine.

Answering is somewhat like trying to choose your significant other for you.

If you want max towing power at moderate speeds, go diesel.
If you want max mileage and are willing to sacrifice high end horsepower, go diesel although it tends to be pricier in most places in usofa which just extends the payoff vs gas time a bit... and you'll need to keep the urea full to avoid limp mode.
If you do more driving at high freeway speeds, go gas V8.


Of course, if you are into mods, once you get the diesel, contact Gale Banks and see if he has anything available yet for that diesel from any of the work he did for the military on it.

 

[acilate]

Actually, at high freeway speeds, the diesel will likely match the Hemi.

IMO the Hemi is a good choice if you either don't like diesels, or if you want it to be a little quicker.

 

[Hammerhead]

24 MPG is probably close with the ecodiesel. The 2008 CRDs were advertised at 17 City / 22 Highway and I typically get around 21 MPG with a mix of city and highway (55 MPH) driving. My 2008 has 132,000 miles on it and I'm anxiously waiting for my ecodiesel to be shipped out from the factory.

It's hard to calculate the fuel savings since the price difference between diesel and gasoline varies. The various estimates I've done have me breaking even anywhere from 50,000 miles to 80,000 miles. I'd be getting the tech package anyway so I didn't factor that extra cost into my scenario.

 

[5.7 My Hemi]

Assuming the unicorns do exist, what is everyone's thoughts on this build comparing the two engines? I guess mainly is the diesel going to be worth is assuming they are side by side. The adv tech package is cheaper with the diesel so that discounts a bit. Plus, I wonder if the average mpg for the diesel is safe to assume around 24mpg, compared to the rough average that i'm making up of 17 mpg in the V8.. seems you would make your money up there?

I've never driven a diesel before. I'm in a unique situation where I may get a second try at getting a deal on one of these grand cherokees. Just trying to weigh the options out. I'm pretty sure I am NOT getting another v6 gas one. I just can't get used to the transmission and lack of pairing with the engine.

I had never driven a diesel before yesterday. Someone right here on this site responded when I said I had never driven a diesel and recommended that I go to a VW dealer and drive one of there Tourig 3.0 turbo TDI's. Well I had never thought of that and there is one about two miles from me so off I went. I drove it for about ten miles or so at slow and fast speeds and it was really just awesome. I was very impressed. It's very quiet when you are inside the vehicle and outside also, it is made on the same assembly line as the Porcha Cayan (spelling) and has the same body panels basically. If it had been a little bit larger I might have ordered it. Just do it you wont regret it. It was the best advice I've gotten on this site so far. But still want to drive the GC CDR; I'm not going to do any towing or hauling but I might do a couple of 3,500 mile trips now and then. If I don't like it then I'll just have two GC 5.7's in the garage. :lol::thumbsup::slapfight:

 

[LSU_FAN]

With the extra cost of the diesel option, Urea refills, and the high cost of diesel fuel it would take a long time just to break even price wise IMO. The Hemi will tow anything the GC can handle but if your towing close to max rating on a regular basis on long trips I can see diesel being an option. If your not towing a lot I just can't see the advantage of diesel.

 

[Hemi2]

With the extra cost of the diesel option, Urea refills, and the high cost of diesel fuel it would take a long time just to break even price wise IMO. The Hemi will tow anything the GC can handle but if your towing close to max rating on a regular basis on long trips I can see diesel being an option. If your not towing a lot I just can't see the advantage of diesel.

These were reasons I did not purchase the diesel! With diesel $1.20 more per litre than regular, coupled with the $3500 extra price tag over the Hemi, it was a no brainer for me! You will NEVER recoup your costs! The diesel is by all accounts . . . slower, noisier, lacks quick acceleration, and most of all . . . it sounds boring! But heh, that's just MHO and I love my Hemi!!

 

[t1n0m3n]

I won't have anything but a Diesel. IMO, if you like to have fun within legal limits, Diesel is way more enjoyable to drive. Near instantaneous off idle power without having to wait for the engine RPMs to spool up is nice.

I get 20 to 22 MPG in the winter in heavy Chicago stop and go traffic. I get about 28 to 29 MPG at 70mph. If I drop to 60 mph I get 30 to 32 MPG. I don't think a 5.7 hemi can even get close to that MPG. Especially in city stop and go traffic. I would suspect that a 5.7 in a heavily congested city is more like 12 to 14 MPG. (For the reason why, Google the differences on MPG for an idling Diesel vs an idling Gas vehicle.)

 

[dubwarren]

I don't care about mpg's. If I did I'd drive a Prius. I like the growl of the Hemi vs the v6 or diesel so I got the hemi. It really was that simple.

I think I just won the world record for shortest post in a Hemi vs Diesel thread.

 

[Benn0]

....Diesel is way more enjoyable to drive. Near instantaneous off idle power without having to wait for the engine RPMs to spool up is nice.

This is it. The V8 is faster, but its a different method of delivery. The diesel pulls hard from low revs.

You will get better range out of a tank in the diesel, and it tows better. The V8 is quicker, but you have to push it harder.

They're different.

edit: Whoa.... old thread!

 

[johnnyiowa]

I won't have anything but a Diesel. IMO, if you like to have fun within legal limits, Diesel is way more enjoyable to drive. Near instantaneous off idle power without having to wait for the engine RPMs to spool up is nice.

I get 20 to 22 MPG in the winter in heavy Chicago stop and go traffic. I get about 28 to 29 MPG at 70mph. If I drop to 60 mph I get 30 to 32 MPG. I don't think a 5.7 hemi can even get close to that MPG. Especially in city stop and go traffic. I would suspect that a 5.7 in a heavily congested city is more like 12 to 14 MPG. (For the reason why, Google the differences on MPG for an idling Diesel vs an idling Gas vehicle.)

I got about 14MPG in town and I can only get as far as 22.5MPG on highway. I am thinking trade-in for a Diesel.

 

[t1n0m3n]

I got about 14MPG in town and I can only get as far as 22.5MPG on highway. I am thinking trade-in for a Diesel.

You should go try one out. I am a Diesel diehard, so I love the clattery engine sound (in this case almost muted too much), don't mind including filling DEF at every oil change, etc.

The Diesel has more twist (torque) than the 5.7, it just doesn't spin as fast (horsepower). This means that you will have more power off the line, or adjusting speed on the highway, but you won't win any of those "races" that the stupid kiddos are going on about. Driving a Diesel just feels "effortless" compared to a gasoline engine. One of the things I like about Diesel is also that the MPG variance is significantly less than gasoline. This means that loaded vs unloaded vs in-town vs highway, your MPGs don't vary as much as a comparably powered gasoline engine. (In this case the 5.7)

The price of Diesel may be more expensive, but do the math. Cost per mile is what people should pay attention to if that is what floats your boat. Also having a 650 to 700 mile range is nice too.

For me the JGC is for effortlessly eating away miles in comfort.
If I want to go fast, I ride my 2nd Gen Vmax.

 

[ssgunner]

I like my vehicles to have "Ballz". Quite frankly, the diesel does not. End of story!

HEMI FTW!!!

 

[GCBurt]

I'm into diesel. I've owned a couple diesel VW rabbits. I converted two VW Sirocco's into diesel - one turbo and one with a rabbit engine (50 and 53 mpg respectively). I've had two diesel pickups (a Duramax currently). Had my own diesel tractor at age 10 (International WD-9, but learned to drive a D-4 Caterpillar by age 6)


Now I have a 3.0L JCG and am tickled pink. My first 600 mile trip from Santa Fe, NM back home to Utah gave me 29 mpg (not as good as my 81 Sirocco, but much more comfortable).

 

[t1n0m3n]

I like my vehicles to have "Ballz". Quite frankly, the diesel does not. End of story!

HEMI FTW!!!

I find that the preferences for one or the other pretty much echos the same arguments between sport bikes and cruisers.

Torque vs Horsepower
Measured vs Derived
More power where you spend 90% of your time vs bragging rights

I prefer to have (significantly) more power where I spend most of my time. (And I get to keep my license!)

:lol:

Edit: I will say that the 8 speed transmission makes a big difference on keeping the Diesel lump more in the power zone. However, I do think the stock shift points are not very Diesel performance friendly. A 8HP70 tuned with Diesel in mind would make a world of difference.

 

[Hemi2]

I like my vehicles to have "Ballz". Quite frankly, the diesel does not. End of story! HEMI FTW!!!

I agree 100% I test drove the 2014 Overland diesel & then the Hemi, right after. It was apples & oranges to say the least! The Hemi sounded mean, accelerated fast, and roared once I let loose on the freeway!
The diesel sounded like a lame duck on start-up, accelerated with average grunt but most of all, it sounded like pfffffffffffffffffftttt the whole time I stepped on it? :lol: There is nothing sexy or exhilarating about the exhaust note on a diesel Jeep! There was also no WOW factor driving the diesel . . . it was pretty boring! I could care less about the diesel mpg, low end torque for towing trailers, or distance per tank. IMHO, the Hemi STOMPS the diesel in every category that matters to ME! It's about the fun factor, sound & performance when I put the hammer down! And at the end of the day . . . that's all that matters! :thumbsup:

 

[Jeep_GC]

I went through the same exercise debating whether to go V8 or Diesel.

Took both out and noticed what others have said here; V8 is noticeably faster in the top end and has the HEMI sound. Diesel is more enjoyable to drive at lower speeds and you can feel the power much more w/o burying your foot into the pedal. Has its own unique clatter to it. Hemi seemed louder driving around and the diesel is louder at idle.

Up here in Canada, price of the Diesel model when they run the free upgrade promo is actually cheaper to buy than the HEMI as there is a "green levy" on it. Diesel fuel also seems to be around the same price as mid-grade over a yearly basis (diesel more in winter, less in summer).

Fuel economy was important to me and with more town trips and towing the diesel will come out on top (and highway). I get 15mpg around town in a V6 4x4 that weighs 1500lbs less so can only imagine how bad the V8 would be in the same driving conditions. Same with any towing - diesel MPG hit won't be near as bad as loading up the HEMI with a trailer.

Resale the Diesel will likely win most of the time too.

Makes me a little nervous with some of the emissions issues with the diesel but it does appear FCA is working through them.

 

[2014RedHemiGC]

1500 lbs less comparing the V6 to the V8?

 

[Jeep_GC]

1500 lbs less comparing the V6 to the V8?

I have a smaller vehicle that is a V6 4x4 that weighs around that much less than the JGC V8 Overland. So could only imagine how much more fuel the V8 Hemi weighing that much more would use in similar driving conditions.

 

[Kinsman74]

My .02 worth depends on the use.
1. Mall crawler get the hemi with the 20" wheels, might as well get the SRT for that matter.
2. My use: towing and launching the boat and daily driver for 40 mile commute on the interstate the diesel with off road, 18" wheels with more rubber on them and of course Dom's def plate.


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